Ebola Surge Threatens to Deepen Crisis in Eastern Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province is grappling with a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak that has already infected 1,792 people and claimed 625 lives, according to the latest figures released by the Congolese Ministry of Communications and Media. The virus, identified as the Bundibugyo strain, has no approved vaccine, and health officials say it is mutating and spreading at an alarming pace. UNICEF’s East Africa director, Gilles Fagninou, warned that the outbreak could worsen an already fragile humanitarian situation in the mineral‑rich but conflict‑ridden eastern region.

UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher called for “urgent, accelerated action” to contain the disease, emphasizing that Ituri remains the epicentre while new cases appear in other provinces where insecurity and constant population movement facilitate transmission. Since the outbreak was declared on 15 May, more than 1,700 infections and over 600 deaths have been recorded in the DRC, and neighbouring Uganda has reported 20 cases, raising concerns about cross‑border spread.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba, speaking in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, described the epidemic as being in a “very active” phase. He noted that high population density, frequent displacement, and local obstacles to community engagement make it difficult to predict when the curve will peak. The Ministry’s latest update also listed 764 patients currently in isolation or hospital care and 295 recoveries, with a case‑fatality rate of 34.1 percent.

The Ebola crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of protracted armed conflict that has plagued eastern DRC for decades. Rebel groups, inter‑ethnic violence and competition over gold, coltan and other minerals have displaced millions, disrupted basic services and left health infrastructure in ruins. Humanitarian agencies already contend with chronic food insecurity, limited access to clean water, and outbreaks of cholera, polio and other preventable diseases.

Fagninou highlighted that the outbreak is already straining health services beyond Ebola care. Maternity ward deliveries in the region have plummeted from roughly 130 per month before the epidemic to about 30 now, reflecting a loss of trust between communities and health centres. “There’s a crisis of trust,” he told AFP, adding that while Ebola demands immediate attention, “traditional diseases are killing children” and must not be ignored.

Fletcher echoed these concerns, stating that the Ebola emergency is “more than a public health crisis” because it compounds existing vulnerabilities. He urged all parties to guarantee safe and sustained access for humanitarian workers, medical supplies and response equipment, and called on donors to release pledged funds quickly and flexibly. The UN is scaling up its Ebola response, but Fletcher stressed that other actors must match that urgency to prevent a humanitarian situation “even worse than in the past.”

The United Nations also appealed for the continued openness of borders and supply routes, essential for delivering aid to remote and conflict‑affected areas. With the virus spreading to provinces where armed groups control territory, ensuring the safety of health teams remains a critical challenge.

International attention to the outbreak has grown as the death toll climbs and the case count rises. The situation underscores the fragile intersection of disease and conflict in eastern DRC, where limited health infrastructure and ongoing violence create fertile ground for epidemics. If containment measures falter, the region could see a surge in mortality not only from Ebola but also from the myriad other health threats that have been sidelined.

The coming weeks will test the capacity of the Congolese government, the UN and partner organisations to coordinate a comprehensive response that addresses both the viral outbreak and the broader humanitarian crisis.